Local

Incumbent Linda Erbele and Lyn Holcomb defeated their challengers in the Primary Election on Mat 24th.

Incumbent Linda Erbele and Lyn Holcomb defeated their challengers in the Primary Election on Mat 24th.

Incumbents win easily in primary races

Incumbents Linda Erbele and Lyn Holcomb successfully fended off primary challenges in Tuesday’s primary election in White County. Erbele received 3,754 votes in the Republican race for White County School Board.
News Helen Police Chief Aletha Barrett gave an update on the K-9 Unit and personnel to the Helen City Commission.

News Helen Police Chief Aletha Barrett gave an update on the K-9 Unit and personnel to the Helen City Commission.

Helen chief gives update

Helen’s new police chief Aletha Barrett presented April’s monthly report and gave an update to the city commission on May 17. Helen’s K-9 officers and K-9’s are in training this week in Florida and they will graduate from the program this Friday, May 20.
Helen City Commission approved the second reading of an amendment that will require owners of short-term rentals pay occupational tax.

Helen City Commission approved the second reading of an amendment that will require owners of short-term rentals pay occupational tax.

Helen okays occupational tax for short-term rentals

The Helen City Commission approved the second reading of an amendment to the business chapter of the Helen City Code at a May 17 meeting. This amendment will require owners of short-term rentals to pay occupational tax.
Helen discussed problems revolving around municipal parking at their monthly meeting.

Helen discussed problems revolving around municipal parking at their monthly meeting.

Helen council hears parking law problems

Cowboys and Angel owner Chris Williams came before the Helen City Commission on Tuesday to address problems involving municipal parking.
White County Commissioners are switching employee insurance.

White County Commissioners are switching employee insurance.

County workers won’t see big jump in health premiums next year

White County Commissioners are nearing the finish line with the county’s 2022-23 budget. They voted unanimously Tuesday to switch employee insurance carriers next year back to Cigna, the company the county used two years ago.
A Chase between driver and White County officer ends with a crash in Habersham County.

A Chase between driver and White County officer ends with a crash in Habersham County.

High-speed chase ends with no injuries

On Tuesday, May 10, at approximately 8:22 p.m., a deputy from the White County Sheriff’s Office was involved in a traffic stop that resulted in warrants being obtained for the driver of a Ford Explorer.
Water price is expected to rise in the new year for Water Authority customers.

Water price is expected to rise in the new year for Water Authority customers.

Water customers can expect rate hike

Executive Director Edwin Nix made a presentation on behalf of the White County Water Authority at the Cleveland City Council meeting on May 9. Nix gave a recap of where the price of water has been for the last year and the projected increase for the 2023 fiscal year.
From left, Cleveland Police Chief Jeff Shoemaker, CPD Officers Rayner, Riebold, Addis, and Sims sporting bullet proof vests and President of North Georgia Mountains Lodge #112 Micheal Palmer at the city council meeting held on May 9. (Ashley Blair/WCN)

From left, Cleveland Police Chief Jeff Shoemaker, CPD Officers Rayner, Riebold, Addis, and Sims sporting bullet proof vests and President of North Georgia Mountains Lodge #112 Micheal Palmer at the city council meeting held on May 9. (Ashley Blair/WCN)

FOP donates vests to Cleveland PD

The Cleveland Police Department was selected as the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP)/Georgia Mountains Lodge recipient of the “Protect the Protectors” bulletproof vest program.
On the left, Tommy Steen, Steve Hopper, and AJ Staton were able to save a victim from a gun shot wound and were awarded for their efforts. the right, Shad Sosebee, Jackson Cantrell, and Austin Brown saved a patient from succumbing to an over dose and were honored at the White County Public Safety Offices.

On the left, Tommy Steen, Steve Hopper, and AJ Staton were able to save a victim from a gun shot wound and were awarded for their efforts. the right, Shad Sosebee, Jackson Cantrell, and Austin Brown saved a patient from succumbing to an over dose and were honored at the White County Public Safety Offices.

Firefighters honored for life-saving work

The Department of Public Safety held an award ceremony to recognize the life-saving work of six firefighters on May 9. On October 8, 2021, Firefighter Sosebee responded to Leatherford Road for a gunshot wound call.